Member representing Bende North constituency in Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu has made an unannounced visit at the 2002 Ezumezu, Igbere women’s annual August meeting which took place on Friday.
The Ezumezu women numbering about a thousand received Hon. Chukwu who is also the Minority Leader of the State House of Assembly amidst cheers and excitement.
Hon. Chukwu is popular among the people of Igbere community in Bende where he has executed lots of laudable projects.
He also lived in Igbere community from teenage age to adulthood. He is also an initiate of Ike Ebiri 2 age grade of Igbere.
During his Secondary school days he was the Senior Prefect of Igbere Secondary School, Igbere due to his outstanding performance.
In his address to the women, he reiterated that coming to celebrate with them was a home coming for him.
He said women are important components of the society, extolling their roles in the development of Igbere and Abia in general.
Hon. Chijioke Chukwu is still revered in all nukes and cranny of Igbere clan by all and sundry, especially those whom he has affected their lives from his tender age till now.
He had always enjoyed the support of Igbere people in all his political outings.
Hon. Chukwu did not leave the meeting venue without raining cash donations on them. He donated #200,000 naira to the general body of Ezumezu women.
Also, he made a cash donations of #20,000 each to Lagos branch, Onitsha branch and Porthacort branches respectively.
He also made cash donations to so many women privately as a form of empowerment but wish not to announce it publicly for those women to start a business, some to take care of their personal needs.
President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed his former Personal Assistant on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, as Special Assistant to the President on Digital Communications.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, confirmed the appointment in a letter of appointment addressed to Ahmad, dated July 20, 2022.
According to Mustapha, the appointment took effect from July 19, 2022.
The appointment came about two months after the presidential media aide failed to secure the All Progressives Congress’ Federal House of Representatives ticket for Gaya, Ajingi, Albasu Federal Constituency at the May 2022 primaries.
ABN TV reports that Ahmad had resigned his previous position as Personal Assistant to the President in line with President Buhari’s directive that all political appointees seeking electoral offices step down.
Ahmad who has been spotted several times at the State House by our correspondent is considered to be the only presidential aide ‘recalled’ by the president since the conclusion of the APC primaries.
All cabinet members and presidential aides who resigned to contest for various electoral offices in the APC but failed to secure the tickets were not reinstated.
Chief whip of the Senate, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu has been received at Lopkanta in Abia North.
Kalu arrived with his entourage in commencement of his ward-to-ward tour to engage his Abia North constituents in the five local government areas of his senatorial zone on his achievements at the Senate.
The Abia North Senator was received by the Traditional ruler of Uduemeze III of Lopkanta , HRH Prince Ifeanyi Eke alongside the President Generals of Umuchieze , various women and youth groups.
The Traditional rulers and community stakeholders commended Kalu for his impart to their community and restated their commitment to re-elect Senator Kalu and the All Progressive’s Congress in the forthcoming 2023 General elections.
The Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi has called on Nigerians to deviate from tribalism and region-based politics in the forthcoming general elections.
In a recent tweet on his verified Twitter handle, the former Anambra State governor opined that the current security and economic crisis rocking the nation affects all citizens irrespective of their religion and tribes.
He urged Nigerians, particularly eligible voters to rally round candidates who have verifiable track records for the betterment of the nation.
He wrote, “The high cost of living, high level of insecurity and every other challenge is affecting all Nigerians equally, irrespective of tribe and religion.
“We must then unite as one and rally behind capable leaders with verifiable track records of success for the sake of our collective interest”.
The high cost of living, high level of insecurity and every other challenge is affecting all Nigerians equally, irrespective of tribe and religion.
The total debt owed to the World Bank Group by Nigeria rose by $660m in the first six months of 2022, the Punch has learnt.
This is according to data from both the Debt Management Office and the financial statements of the World Bank.
According to data from the DMO, Nigeria debt to the Washington-based bank was $12.38 as of December 31, 2021.
The financial statements of the World Bank for fiscal year 2022 show that Nigeria owes the lending institution $13.04bn as of June 30, 2022.
The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association, which make up the World Bank, have, over the years, advanced loans to Nigeria.
The IBRD lends to governments of middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries while the IDA provides concessionary loans – called credits – and grants to governments of the poorest countries.
Nigeria’s debt to the IDA and IBRD stood at $12.55bn and $486m respectively as of June 30, 2022, compared to $11.97bn and $410.60m in December 32, 2021.
According to a recent Punch report, rising debt has pushed Nigeria up the World Bank’s top 10 IDA borrowers’ list.
The World Bank Fiscal Year 2021 audited financial statements for IDA showed that Nigeria was rated fifth on the list with $11.7bn IDA debt stock as of June 30, 2021.
However, the newly released World Bank Fiscal Year 2022 audited financial statements for IDA showed that Nigeria has moved to the fourth position on the list, with $13bn IDA debt stock as of June 30, 2022.
This shows that Nigeria accumulated about $1.3bn IDA debt within a fiscal year, with the country taking over the fourth top debtor position from Vietnam.
This debt is different from the outstanding loan of $486m from World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
The top five countries on the list slightly reduced their IDA debt stock except Nigeria.
Nigeria has the highest IDA debt in Africa, as the top three IDA borrowers (India, Bangladesh and Pakistan) are from Asia.
The World Bank disclosed recently that Nigeria’s debt, which might be considered sustainable for now, was vulnerable and costly.
The bank said, “Nigeria’s debt remains sustainable, albeit vulnerable and costly, especially due to large and growing financing from the Central Bank of Nigeria.”
However, the Washington-based global financial institution added that the country’s debt was also at risk of becoming unsustainable in the event of macro-fiscal shocks.
The bank further expressed concerns over the nation’s cost of debt servicing, which according to it, disrupted public investments and critical service delivery spending.
All is now set for the grand finale of Citizens Summit organised by the National Institute of Public Relations, NIPR in collaboration with about 70 corporate entities which seeks to advance national integration, peaceful co-existence and the country’s security.
The summit will be chaired by the chairman Access Bank Nigeria PLC, Dr. Mrs. Dere Awosika, says NIPR Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo who also added that the 2-day event provides a robust platform for Nigerians to engage on critical issues of nation building.
Mallam Sirajo described the summit as a solution driven initiative to address issues of national cohesion and reconciliation for national development, a statement signed by the Adviser to the President on PR & Communication, Mr. Stanley Ogadigo on Sunday says.
The event, which is scheduled to kick off Tuesday, 23rd August, 2022 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja will feature presentation of reports of the Zonal Dialogue Series, plenary, syndicate sessions and other activities.
Expected in attendance include the Minister of Information & Culture, Lai Muhammed, former Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Audu Ogbe and former CEO of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Prof. Anya O. Anya in attendance.
Other notable Keynote Speakers are: Barr. Mrs. Adepeju Jaiyeoba, Rev. Ladi Thompson, Dr. James Komolafe, and Dr. Ahmed Isah of Brekete Family.
“The conference is designed to bridge the widening trust gap between the leaders and the citizens, as well as amongst the citizens, through promotion of national integration and enhancement of cross country peaceful co-existence” the release added.
NIPR President stressed the importance of trust in governance, saying that the concept of “Reopen Conversation, Rebuild Trust” as the Summit Theme could not have come at a better time than now.
Recall that the forthcoming event is a grand finale of the Citizens Summit that commenced a national programme on12th July, 2021 with the inauguration of the Dr. Ike Neliaku-led National Planning Committee that has conducted Zonal Dialogue Series across all the six geopolitical zones of the country, and diaspora as the 7th zone.
Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, the Senator representing Abia North, has condemned the unruly attitude of some Nigerian youths on social media, especially on Facebook.
Kalu, at about 3am on Sunday, recorded and shared a video on the social networking site where he complained bitterly about youths abusing statesmen when they ought to be learning from them.
Manchester United had suffered the defeat by Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, making it the English club’s second loss in the new Premier League season.
Kalu in reaction made a Facebook post about how it was “the first time in 84 years” that Manchester United would suffer “a heavy defeat to Brentford.”
The Senator and two-time former governor of Abia State added, “Definitely not a good time for Man U and its fans, I hope they get back on track and on time as one can only imagine what will happen when they face Liverpool next week.Huge win and Great performance from the Bees!!!”.
But some of the lawmaker’s followers took to his comment section to wish that he and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), would suffer similar defeats in their political outings in the 2023 general election.
One of the Facebook users, Vincent Vincent, wrote: “Mr. Kalu please don’t mock Manchester United because the same faith (sic) awaits you come 2023.”
Another user said instead of devoting time to talking and finding solutions to the myriad of challenges facing the country, the Senator was discussing “Man United game, defeat and shame.”
Kalu, in a subsequent post he shared at about 4:30 am on Sunday, said he was worried about the attitude of Nigerian youths toward their elders.
“I feel disturbed the way Nigerian youths (behave). Instead of them to face what the business is all about, they are facing what is not the business,” the Abia Senator complained.
“When we discuss Man United, they should be able to reply to Man United, not abusing a statesman like me that this is how your party will end. We should learn, education is on Facebook, Facebook is not for abuse.
“You don’t insult your elders and become successful. I don’t want to curse anybody in Nigeria because I didn’t behave like this as a youth.
“I’m 62 years old. When I was 25 I was already very successful. So, if I see youths who should chat with a statesman like me so that they will have a lot of ideas to do something with and they are joking with it…It is not fair on me, neither is it fair on most of the civilized youths.”
Kalu advised that youths should shun the urge to attack politicians like him who take out time to engage with them on social media and instead seek to learn from their experiences.
“We should outgrow this behaviour and be able to learn from each other. We need one another and we must learn. I spend my time to chat…to come to Facebook. It’s not how our youths should behave. We must be attentive and proactive and discuss issues, not people.
“I started being successful very early. I’m very successful (and) for the rest of my life I’d be very successful. I never needed to be governor to be successful (and) I never needed the Senate to be successful. So, you people should be able to discuss with a Nigerian who is ready to discuss with you, that makes the country a viable place to live.
“How can we teach, how can you learn when you abuse everybody? Ask some of the youths on that Facebook, they’ve learnt a lot from me and I’ve learnt a lot from them. It is a partnership we must establish to be able to discuss freely. I don’t encourage how you people are abusing people on Facebook.
“I’ve replied to a few people who said are you a Man U fan and I said no, I only support good football. The only team I’ve had in my life is Enyimba. I enjoy the premiership, I enjoy La Liga, I enjoy the Italian league, I enjoy the German league and all the leagues but I don’t have a team, I don’t want to break my heart or not eat my food like most of you.
A support group, Asiwaju-Shettima Connect, has said the All Progressives Congress(APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu would give young Nigerians the opportunity to take up the baton as leaders in politics and business in his administration.
In a statement by its National Convener, Adebanjo Moyosore, the group noted that there are huge public policy problems that are yet to be addressed to allow the youths express themselves.
According to the group, most of the challenges we face in the country would not be solved until someone like Tinubu who has the foresight and love for the youths of this country becomes president. It lauded the presidential flag bearer for his remarks on Nigerian youths and their exploits in the world of music and sports in a video.
READ ALSO: 2023: Peter Obi, Tinubu, Atiku, Others To Pay N10m Each For Campaign Posters
The statement reads: “He has remained a mentor who has over these year mentored the best managers in politics and business; the single most important thing any true leader can do to help prepare the next generation of leadership to take up the baton, and to take their own crack at changing the fortune of their country.
“There are huge public policy problems that are yet to be addressed to allow the youths of this country express themselves and most of these challenges we face in country today, from insecurity to poverty, high cost of living and unemployment would not be solved until someone like Tinubu who has the foresight and love for the youths of this country comes in.
“We have seen what he has turned Lagos into in twenty years. Lagos today has become the third largest economy in Africa because of Tinubu’s master plan to build a mega city, something he can do better if given the opportunity to lead the country.”
General Overseer, Peers of Heaven Society, Chief (Mrs) Oyelola Elebuibon has stressed the need for women in Africa to embrace polygamy rather than resorting to killing their husbands.
She said women in Africa, especially Nigeria must understand that culture and tradition placed responsibility on men to marry more than a woman, hence, must not allow civilisation erode on culture.
She said, “It is callous for any woman to kill her husband out of jealous, that man is the son of another woman and his life is also sacred.
Moreover, in Africa, especially Nigeria, our culture and tradition allow a man to marry more than a woman, we must not allow civilisation to erode on such tradition for posterity sake. Here we also lecture women how on the need to preserve critical areas of our culture.
“We invoked heavenly spirit to intervene in the Osun election, which was the reason it was peaceful. Now we have started to invoke the spirits to make the 2023 general election, not just peaceful, but to ensure that a leader that would have the interest of the country at heart emerge as President of the country.
“We are praying that those that will emerge would not be selfish and would prioritise welfare of the masses rather than siphoning public funds”, she said.
A 27-year-old home help has been arrested by the police in Mai’ari Arewa village, Pali district in the Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, for allegedly strangling his boss’ daughter after he impregnated her.
The suspect, Munkaila Ado, was said to have impregnated the 13-year-old girl and connived with her mother to take her to Gombe State for an abortion.
The state police spokesperson, Ahmed Wakil, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
He said that after successfully aborting the four-month-old pregnancy, the suspect and his friend strangled the victim, burnt her body beyond recognition and buried her in a shallow grave at a nearby bush in the Akko LGA of Gombe State.
The spokesperson said that the teenager’s father, who discovered that his daughter was missing and suspected his houseboy and his accomplice, reported the matter at the Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters.
He said, “On interrogation, the suspect confessed that the missing girl was his girlfriend who was four-month pregnant to the knowledge of her mother but unknown to the father, Alhaji Danladi Mohammed.
Wakil added, “He further revealed that he conspired with the mother of the girl and his accomplice, Muazu Umar, to take the victim to Gombe for an abortion.
“On reaching Gombe, the victim was led to the house of one Hajiya Amina Abubakar, female, (50), in Jekada Fari, behind specialist hospital Gombe where the victim was administered with some substances to cause miscarriage.
“Eventually, on their way to Mai’ari village along Akko LGA Gombe State, the two aforementioned suspects strangled the victim. They burnt the body beyond recognition and buried it in a shallow grave at a nearby bush in Akko LGA Gombe State.’’
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